Help Finish My Board! (Modulation Content Inside)

[modernage]

With the exception of tremolo I was never much of a modulation guy. Well I'm getting older, so I figure that means I need a chorus pedal on my board now too. Here's where you guys come in. I have room on my board for 2 more pedals. I'm wanting those 2 pedals to be a trem and a chorus. I have a budget of around $250 - 300, and I'm planning on buying used in order to get more for my money. There will be a time in the future to pick up those dream pedals like the Goatkeeper and Cosmichorus, but at this point I just want to finish this board and be done with it. I need to move on so I can think about getting a better amp, and possibly guitar.

Here's a bit of my criteria. When it comes to modulation I'm going subtle, so I don't need a ton of options. No tap tempo on the trem, and no extra knobs on the chorus to make it sound like a ring mod. I used to have an Empress Trem and I got rid of it because there was just too many good settings, so I was always tweaking and could never settle on a sound. I also would like to stay away from multi-effects, like the Modfactor or the Nova Modulator... just too many options. I've got an M9 for that kinda thing. Stereo would be nice, but it's definitely not a deal breaker... more a bonus. I would like the chorus to have a "mix" knob though.

So, I have things narrowed down to the following in no particular order...

Chorus:
Boss CE-2 (or a clone of, like the BYOC)
EHX Small Clone (preferably a clone, like the Analogman. I just don't like those chunky EHX enclosures look (yeah, I'm that guitarist))
Malekko Omi' Chorus
Fromel Seraph
Arion SCH-1 (at the bottom of the list, but I know a lot of you like it)

Trem:
Boss PN-2
Catalinbread Pareidalia
Catalinbread Semiphore
Earthquaker Pulse Machine
Mad Professor MYT

So, what do you think? What you go with if you had my budget? Are their any options you prefer more? Also, do you know of any other companies that make Small Clone 'clones'? $200 seems a lot for an Analogman chorus that's just a updated clone of a pedal you can find all over the place for $50. Thanks!

[Eric!]

Analogmans sound goooooood though
Though I'm boycotting him for other reasons. So no.

Visual Sound H2O chorus
Boss CE-2
Catalinbread Semaphore

[colin]

I'll second the Semaphore. Great little pedal.

[tuffteef]

youll never be done with it until you buy the goatkeeper and cosmi

[veteransdaypoppy]

My experience with the Fromel Chorus was that it was like, way way way subtle. I like subtle, but I also like to have the option of cheesy chorus, so my personal pick is the Arion SCH-Z. That thing sounds sweet.

For trem I just use my Twin's tremolo setting.

[modernage]

Visual Sound H2O chorus

I forgot about that one. I wonder if the circuits are the same between the old and new versions. If so I might consider getting the Liquid Chorus since I would have no need for the delay on the H2O. Might be another to consider. Those Visual Sound pedals are just so fugly though.

youll never be done with it until you buy the goatkeeper and cosmi

You're not helping Mr.

My experience with the Fromel Chorus was that it was like, way way way subtle. I like subtle, but I also like to have the option of cheesy chorus, so my personal pick is the Arion SCH-Z. That thing sounds sweet.

For trem I just use my Twin's tremolo setting.

That is a valid point. Even though I like subtle, it would be nice to get a little crazy with it if I wanted to. Now that you mention it the Boss DC-2 setting on the M9 was just as you described. The list has been shortened.

Both of the amps that I want to buy have built in trem too. It's too bad awesome amps aren't the same price as pedals.

A lot of good advice so far!

[modernage]

My experience with the Fromel Chorus was that it was like, way way way subtle. I like subtle, but I also like to have the option of cheesy chorus, so my personal pick is the Arion SCH-Z. That thing sounds sweet.

Oh, here's puzzle you might be able to help me solve.
Do you know what the difference is between the SCH-Z and the SCH-1... other than the SCH-Z usually pops up for a price I like a lot better, and the SCH-1 is the one that everyone raves about.

[veteransdaypoppy]

I think the SCH-Z is the modded one by some weird company like EWS or something.. engineering work science?
and the SCH-1 is the original.
The modded one is NOT stereo, but the original is. It's modded for true bypass and i think a few component changes.
I'm not sure if the Vibe/Chorus switch is a mod, but the fact that both the Chorus AND the Vibe sound really great on the SCH-Z made it a really easy decision for me. And the pricetag rules.

I'm not 100% positive but a quick googlin' turned up those results. I know the Z sounds really good 'cause I've tried it. I also really liked the watery sound of the EHX Stereo Electric Mistress, which is a flanger/chorus blender thing for really cheap. It really sounds super great, I dig it.

[Companda]

The only chorus pedal that I have ever liked have been the Doc Sci Cosmichorus (obviously) and a Boss DC-3. They can both get really subtle and non "metalic", which I like.

This is as helpful as I can be.

[futuresailors]

Do you run a stereo rig? Because a PN-2 is useless otherwise. Like actually. The rate knob isn't usable until like 3:00. I picked up a Keeley-d TR-2 for $40 off craigslist and it's pretty tits. People need to get over the whole "Boss sucks" thing...

As for a place holder chorus, check out the MXR one...it's subtle and pretty and can be had for pretty cheap. That BBE chorus is pretty nice for the price as well...

Or check out the thundertomate I've got in BST. GREAT sounding analog chorus and that's comparing it to my JC-120's onboard which is basically a CE-1, so

Basically, you could get some pretty decent place holders for under $150...

[hazelwould]

I LOVE my Malekko Trem. I'm REALLY considering the Malekko chorus.

If your looking for something cheap and SUPER big sounding the Johnson Chorus is pretty huge.

[D3rP]

The Small Clone is very good at subtle and the enclosure isn't terrible. It can also get fairly different sounding with a few mods, like the depth pot and "super fast" one. I quite like mine.

Don't know anything about trems, though.

[Toonster]

So everybody is like Small Clone, it's awesome of course, Nano Clone isn't recommended bij most people, so what about the new Neo Clone, any experiences from ilf'ers?

[Gunner Recall]

cbread is about to drop the mega semaphore...I'll be getting one for sure.
I used to own the vert semaphore and it was one of my favorite pedals

[colin]

cbread is about to drop the mega semaphore...I'll be getting one for sure.
I used to own the vert semaphore and it was one of my favorite pedals

Wait, what? My quick googling found nothing on this mega semaphore, so details please.